Tuesday, July 26, 2011

It is not my intention to degrade or humiliate the Philippines and the Filipinos as well, but with all the controversial, scam and anomalies that our society and government involve into maybe it's time to call their attention and tell them that the lists of these anomalies bothers and disturbed us! A no malice (or should I say full of malice) reiteration of anomalies that affects our children's future, our lives, integrity and economy. Anomalies that are headlines of different news program (here and abroad), newspaper, radio and other medium of communication, anomalies that are hindrance to our progress, anomalies that put us in a bad light in the eyes of other nation, anomalies that made us (un)popular, anomalies that showcase the creativity of our leaders.Anomalies that confirms and affirms private individuals, businessmen, government officials are indeed corrupt. Anomalies literally enumerated from A to Z.This is what our officials do.This is how our money were spent.This is where our taxes go.

AFP FUND ANOMALYThe Hit: The Generals who are ally of a former president allegedly received tens of millions of pesos, after retirement. An AFP comptroller accused of pocketing P300 million from Military Fund.The Damage: More than P303 Million.The Verdict: A retired General commits suicide who have been disturbed by the accusation. Ombudsman has agreed to a plea bargain agreement offered by the AFP Comptroller. CASE ONGOING.

BENPRES-NLEX DEAL SCAMThe Hit: C5 - NLEX link project. A joint deal by the previous government and the company BENPRES. The 22 kilometer-8 lanes project said to be overpriced by P51 to P53 million per kilometer.The Damaged: about P1.1 Billion.The Verdict: UNRESOLVED.

C-5 EXTENSION SCANDALThe Hit: Two senators exposed the double insertion of the C-5 Road extension project. The two even accused their co-senator that he used his influence as a senator for the alleged anomaly. The anomaly includes the realigned P4.28 Billion pesos for the extension project, the P1.8 billion spent for the original project but was wasted due to the realignment, and the reportedly overpriced payment of P141 million in right-of-way for Senator's real estate companies.The Damaged: P6.2 Billion.The Verdict: The Senate Committee of the Whole has ordered the involved Senator to return P6.2 billion pesos which the government spent on the allegedly anomalous C-5 Road Extension Project. UNRESOLVED.

CALAMITY FUND ANOMALYThe Hit: Allegedly, the previous administration has already used up 70.4% of the 2010 entire calamity fund in the first half of the year.The Damaged: P1.4 Billion.The Verdict: PENDING INVESTIGATION

CENTENNIAL EXPO SCANDALThe Hit: Intended to showcase the Phils.' achievement in its 100 years as an independent nation but the project was criticized for the excessive amount of money that went to its construction.The Damaged: P3.5 Billion.The Verdict: Expo Pilipino closed down in 1999 after sustaining heavy losses. UNRESOLVED.

CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF THE PHILS. ANOMALYThe Hit: Two officials of previous administration allegedly & anomaly made separate huge withdrawals from two Banks of the CAAP i.e. UCPB and LBP.The Damaged: P400 Million.The Verdict: Two lawmakers seeking a probe on this case.

EURO-GENERALS SCANDALThe Hit: Eight Police officers including their spouses went to Moscow to attend a conference carrying with them an undeclared 105,000 Euros in cash.The Damaged: P6.9 Million.The Verdict: Ombudsman recommend filing of charges against former PNP Comptroller. One officer implicated in the controversy has been promoted to Chief Superintendent.

FERTILIZER FUND SCAMThe Hit: A controversy involving accusation that DA undersecretary diverted a whopping hundred million peso fertilizer fund to the 2004 election campaign.The Damaged: P728 MillionThe Verdict: A task force is currently looking for the involvement of some 140 congressmen in the project. Case to be reopen for reinvestigation.

GARCHITORENA LAND SCAMThe Hit: The scam involved the 1,888-hectare Garchitorena estate in Camarines Sur, a former abaca plantation that was no longer useful for cultivation. The government nearly bought it in 1989 for P62.7 million.The Damaged: P58.9 Million supposed losses of the government.The Verdict: Land Bank expose the deal and the scam exploded in the media. SCAM SPOILED.

HELLO GARCI SCANDALThe Hit: Political scandal and electoral crisis that hit the Phils. in 2004. An alleged massive electoral fraud and subsequent cover-up involving high ranking officials of the government and COMELEC.The Damaged: Hundreds of Millions taken from various Gov't fund.The Verdict: NO TRIAL TOOK CASE. FOR REINVESTIGATION.

JOSE PIDAL CAPERThe Hit: A certain "Jose Pidal" allegedly launders money in the diversion of Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Fund (Fertilizer Fund), as exposed by a senator.The Damaged: P321 MillionThe Verdict: Just this July 2011, A senator proposed for a reinvestigation of the case.

JOSE VELARDE ACCOUNT SCANDALThe Hit: A bank account known as Jose Velarde, a grassroot based number game (jueteng), as well as gov't price subsidy for tobacco farmers' marketing cooperative.The Damaged: P400 MillionThe Verdict: This scandal leads to another peaceful revolution also known as EDSA II and further convict a president for a Plunder Case. UNRESOLVED.

JUETENG SCANDALThe Hit: Another political scandal erupted in June 2005 involving allegations that ally and relatives of a President receives pay-out from a illegal game, Jueteng.The Damaged: Undisclosed Millions of peso.The Verdict: Senate investigated the case "In Aid of Legislation". UNRESOLVED.

LTO REGISTRATION ANOMALYThe Hit: As reported, some corrupt and unscrupulous LTO personnel managed to re-registered stolen cars and motorcycle by altering records.The Damaged: It could be your stolen car or your motorcycle. Millions of pesos involved.The Verdict: DOTC to look into anomalies.

MACAPAGAL HIGHWAY SCANDALThe Hit: A 5.1 kilometer highway located in reclamation area of Roxas Boulevard reportedly dubbed as "The Most Expensive Boulevard in the World".The Damaged: P1.1 Billion total cost. P630 Million overpriced.The Verdict: UNRESOLVED.

NAT'L PRINTING OFFICE ANOMALYThe Hit: NPO continuously awarding a multi-million peso printing contract to a Privately-own-company (Asian Productivity Organization) despite the company's reputation. APO is reportedly in a brink of bankruptcy and heavy losses.The Damaged: APO owed the state a total of P1.2 Billion.The Verdict: NPO employee's are bent on stopping the entry of APO production unit as government printer.

NAIA TERMINAL 3 - PIATCO SCANDALThe Hit: An anomalous transaction between FRAPORT AG (German based) thru PIATCO and Phil. Government to modernize the NAIA Terminal 3. But later found out that the contract is full of anomalies and said to be in violation of "Anti-Dummy Law".The Damaged: The gov't spent $5.6 Million in lawyers fees & expenses.The Verdict: The ICSID-Washington based International arbitration body, allows FRAPORT AG to initiate another case against Phil. government.

NORTH RAIL PROJECT ANOMALYThe Hit: The Gov't awarded the flagship project (32 Km stretch train project from Caloocan to Malolos) to a Chinese contractor (CNMEG) despite absence of public bidding and non-compliance with other government rules.The Damaged: $400 Million loan from China's Export-Import Bank and $103 Million gov't counterpart fund, according to a senator is over-priced.The Verdict: Government continues to pay interest charges for two NRP Loans to the tune of one-million pesos a day.

OWWA FUND DIVERSION The Hit: Former president accused of diverting hundreds of millions of pesos in OWWA funds to her 2004 Presidential campaign.The Damaged: About P530 MillionThe Verdict: A former Solicitor General filed charges of plunder and other offenses against the accused and three of her former officials.

PAGCOR ANOMALYThe Hit: 1. Former PAGCOR Chairman reportedly used PAGCOR funds to pay BIDA Foundation Inc. a total of P28.2 Million in check payment. 2. PAGCOR paid the BIDA production (again) a total of P24.98 Million for services rendered on various "projects" including BIDA pins worth a huge P8.82 Million. 3. Former Chairman approved P21.119 Million deal payable to two of its officials 2 days before a new president took office. Such amount represent food purchases in a 8-day period from McDonald's donated to PNP.The Damaged: P74.3 Million, figure does not include other irregularities.The Verdict: The said Chairman resigned from his post. Congress pushes probe on the matter.

PCSO FUND ANOMALYThe Hit: 1. Former PCSO PR Manager misused the fund by funding an overpriced advertisement expenses a portion of which is a kickback (P28.71 Million) from advertising firm. 2. The Agency had misused hundreds of millions of pesos for dubious intelligence activities with approval of the then president. The intelligence funds were diverted to relief operations and "blood money" donations.The Damaged: P178.71 MillionThe Verdict: Ombudsman begins probe of PCSO Funds anomaly.

PEA-AMARI LAND SCAM The Hit: The Deal tagged as "The Grandmother of all Scams". The controversial deal involved the acquisition of 158 hectares of reclaimed land on Manila Bay that was to be converted into so-called Freedom Islands. The government paid P1.8 billion to acquire three islands in the Manila Bay at P1,200 per square meter 'though the value of properties in adjacent areas were pegged at P90,000 per square meter.The Damaged: P1.8 Billion.The Verdict: 5 PEA Officials and 4 gov't auditors involved in the sale ordered suspended by Sandiganbayan. The Supreme Court declared the deal unconstitutional. UNRESOLVED.

PHIL. COAST GUARD ANOMALYThe Hit: Admirals from Phil. Coast Guard were accused of fund malversation. The requested fund was intended for oil spill clean-up but COA found out that it was diverted to purchase spare parts and repairs of ships that were not delivered and done respectively.The Damaged: P325 Million.The Verdict: The COA recommends the suspension of PCG Officials involved in the anomaly.

PNP HELICOPTERS ANOMALYThe Hit: In 2009, PNP officials purchased two refurbished R-44 Helicopters that were made to appear brand new. A senator says that the purchased helicopters were previously owned by a former president and her husbandThe Damaged: P105 Million.The Verdict: The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee have filed Senate Resolution 518 to investigate the purchase of the helicopters.

QUEDAN-RURAL CREDIT CORP. (QUEDANCOR) ANOMALY

The Hit: Government-run QUEDANCOR allegedly granting some P2.75 million worth of “anomalous” loans to a man (Viniegas) despite the latter's alleged “falsified” loan documents.The Damaged: P2.75 MillionThe Verdict: Office of the Ombudsman filed charges against seven officials and two former employees of QUEDANCOR.

RITM FLU TESTING ANOMALYThe Hit: Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) awarded the procurement of six units of flu-testing machine (machine used to confirm swine virus) to ROCHE (foreign-owned firm), a company that didn't submit the lowest bid. Report also says that ROCHE oversupply the overpriced machine by one unit which is a violation of the bidding rules.The Damaged: P9.56 Million (for 4 units)The Verdict: RITM Officials involved on the case were being (re)investigated.

RICE FUND ANOMALY (NFA)The Hit: In 2004, the previous gov't imported some 900,000 metric tons of rice even if the shortage then was only at 117,000 MT while in 2007, the said administration also bought 1.827 million MT while the shortage was just 589,000 MT. This over-importation resulted to rice spoilage and wastage in NFA Warehouse.The Damaged: P171.6 Billion, In the over-importation. COA Reports that NFA lost P100 Billion in 10 years.The Verdict: A Senate Resolution No. 54 was introduced by a Senator to conduct investigation.

SSS IRREGULARITIESThe Hit: 1. In 1999, the agency spent P143.3 Million, in 2000 ~ P188.4 Million for activities under the category of "Christmas expenses". 2. SSS switched investment from government securities and blue chip stocks to equity in crony firms i.e. PCI Bank, Belle Corporation shares plus a P400-million loan, P500 million in Waterfront, P167 million in Security Bank, and a share-swap with Pryce Corp. The auditors noted that all this was done when the economy was shaky.The Damaged: 1. P331.7 Million 2. P15.6 Billion, respectively.The Verdict: 1. COA confirmed the expenditures but yet resolved. 2. For some strange reason, the case was assigned to the Ombudsman’s office in the Visayas, where it still pends.

SCTEX CONTRACT ANOMALYThe Hit: The access road and the interchange were constructed and paid for by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, and yet Hacienda Luisita Inc. charges toll fees; the farmers were not given their share of the sale of the right of way, and the owners of the property did not pay the government for royalty fees for the quarrying activities.The Damaged: P34.106 BillionThe Verdict: Lower House to conduct a probe of the anomaly thru House Resolution 1329.

TOBACCO TAXES SCANDALThe Hit: In 1998, a provincial auditor of Ilocos Sur seeks explanation from a Governor of the same province on the status and expenditure of the hundred of millions of cash advances. The amount said to be Ilocos Sur's 20% share in the country's tobacco excise tax.The Damaged: about P130 Million.The Verdict: The said provincial auditor and his driver were later killed by unidentified gunman. NBI & Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigated the case. UNRESOLVED.

ZTE-BROADBAND CONTROVERSY SCANDALThe Hit: The Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment Limited (ZTE) National Broadband Network Deal is a highly controversial, $329 million contract signed by the Philippine and Chinese governments. The NBN project was a proposal of the DOTC, a plan which started way back in 2005, aiming to establish a internet broadband connection to local government units and government agencies nationwide. A House Speaker's son divulged his knowledge of the huge overpricing and kickbacks involved in the deal.The Damaged: The project was overpriced by P6 Billion.The Verdict: A Senate inquiry was held to investigate case but it was all for for legislation purposes only. ZTE-Broadband deal was CANCELED due to its controversy. UNRESOLVED.

Millions and millions of pesos were wasted.Billions and billions of pesos were misused.The scams, scandals and anomalies stated does not include the misuse and diversion of pork barrel funds, the kickbacks and the SOP commissions granted by our respected officials, elected or appointed.

How can we pay the huge $161,195,818,768 external debt (2009 figures) with all that graft and corruption? While million of Filipinos are considered poor, while million of Filipinos experienced hunger, while million of Filipinos are jobless, while million of Filipino children needed education, these leaders and officials of our country are doing this to our motherland. How frustrating that the powerful people behind these scams, scandals and anomalies greedily thinks of how to pocket money for their own good, instead of intelligently thinks on how to spend our money for the good of the country and its countrymen.

To quote a good pastor "dumb are those people who willfully do wrong despite knowing what is right" and I found no reason to object it. These people certainly knows what is right and what is wrong 'coz they are more educated than many of us but they chose to do wrong. Amazingly, in spite of the dozen anomalies and scandals that shocked our nation no one admits, no one recognizes, no one accept any wrongdoings. They are all sin-free.

As long as no one is prosecuted and punished, as long as our nation continues to forgive the offenders and forget their anomalies, as long as no one is convicted and sent to jail, the History will just repeat itself and all these anomalies will just a mere allegations and the money that supposed to benefit the Filipino people will benefit only a few "good" men.

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN ARE NOT MADE-UP STORIES AND BASED UPON SOURCES BELIEVE TO BE ACCURATE AND RELIABLE INCLUDING SECONDARY SOURCES. DILIGENT EFFORT WAS MADE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF THESE MATERIALS HOWEVER, THE AUTHOR ENCOURAGES THE READER TO VERIFY ALL ITEMS BY REVIEWING DIFFERENT ALL KINDS OF AVAILABLE SOURCES OR YOU MAY GOOGLE AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE AUTHOR'S SOURCES: INQUIRER.NET, PHILSTAR.COM, GMANEWS.COM, WIKIPEDIA, JOURNAL.COM, MB.COM.PH, NEWSFLASH.ORG, ETC.

Monday, July 11, 2011

"The only reason there is peace and order in Davao is because of me."- Rody DuterteI'm not from Davao but how I wish, I was born, raised and experienced living at this province. Davaoenos are so proud and very vocal to say that their town is one of the safest places in the Philippines (if not, the most). And when we say Davao it is synonymous to the Dutertes. Dutertes, who rules Davao for more than two decades and counting. You can say that the Duterte’s way of governing their civic is rude, strict, authoritative but it is somehow magically turned effective; the crime rates are low, the people are disciplined, folks are cooperative, the leaders and officials are well respected. Many oppose the martial-law-like ruling of this town but they as well, wish that their city is like Davao; many has disagree this kind of directive but has no concrete plan and proposal to “pacify” the hard-headed Filipinos. With all the negative traits and character of most Filipinos i.e. undisciplined, willful, stubbornness, I think we need leaders like the Dutertes ~ leaders who has iron hand and a true political will.

The urban legend “Davao Death Squad” seems to be a part of this good result. ‘Though the Duterte’s strongly denies their involvement on the Death Squad they somehow tolerating and consenting them, in any manner. It is not yet proved that this squad is directly connected to the Dutertes’ but the existence of this group is no longer a question. This vigilante group, who took the law on their hands, serves “justice” before it went to proper court. The Death Squad, who likes an Angel of Death, fears by many.

It is sad to know that despite the lawlessness of this so-called death squad most people have agreed & embrace this wrongdoing. It is a desperate move from a desperate Filipinos who always seeks for changes, for progress, for discipline, for justice. Ignoring the “due process of the law” and implement their own set of law, just like during the ancient time. But what is due process if the justice doesn’t serves us right? What is due process if justice is so delayed? What is due process if a Judge serves only the wealthy and favors the rich man?

Dating back 70’s & 80’s era, Davao once tagged as a city of chaos. Murders and crimes are everywhere and people are uncontrollable but when Mayor Duterte assumes office in the late 1980’s; the once troubled Davao became a peaceful City, in fact it was dubbed as “The most peaceful city in Southeast Asia”! From then on, Duterte never lost on any election and they will continue to win not just on election but on every heart of the Davaoenos. The Davaoenos loved them as who they are; Davaoenos embrace them as what they are. While most of the Filipinos hate politicians, Davaoenos treasured and respected the Dutertes, not by forced but with all their heart.

The incident happened on July 1, 2011 involving the current Mayor of Davao, Inday Sara Duterte and the court sheriff Mr. Abe Andres wherein the Mayor throws a 4-punch combination straight to the face of Andres, significantly symbolizes the power and authority of the strong Duterte. It has a message that says: “If you’re not with me you are against me!” connotation. The attempt of the Mayor to avoid the violence between the demolition team and the informal settlers ironically turned violent and more controversial. (Assume that this is from the minds of Inday Sara) Damn, those people who says it’s wrong, damn the critics who’s only job is to criticize, damn the moralists who is morally immoral. Damn those human rights activists who never see the reasons behind the actions. The father and son Duterte defended the Mayor from the critics and in return, they gave them a Duterte (dirty) finger (what do you expect?). You can’t blame them for their acts it is natural and understable for them to defend each other because of their strong family ties. The Dutertes young and old has this reputation of being strict. You can say that they rule the town in a harsh and arrogant way but if that’s the prize we have to pay to achieve a better place, and then let it be.

If we are just talking LEADERSHIP alone, the Dutertes’ system of leadership is indeed a great job. A classic example of the saying: If there’s a will, there’s a way. Do this way, the Duterte’s way.